Method and device for readying of yarn ends, particularly in yarn-winding machines

ABSTRACT

An improved method and device for readying of yarn ends, particularly in yarn-winding machines wherein, when a yarn piecing operation by a knotter is required after detecting a break of winding yarn, the retrieved yarns from a package and a supply cop are inspected to determine whether they involve doubled or tripled yarn by a slub catcher which is used for normal winding operation, and when the slub catcher detects the above-mentioned defect, the defect is cut off by a cutter of the slub catcher so that yarn piecing operation is not carried out therewith, and the yarn retrieving motion and the above-mentioned inspection is repeated.

United States Patent 191 Uchida Nov. 11, 1975 METHOD AND DEVICE FOR READYING OF YARN ENDS, PARTICULARLY IN YARN-WINDING MACHINES [75] lnventor: Hiroshi Uchida, Kyoto. Japan [73] Assignee: Murata Kikai Kabushiki Kaisha,

Primary E.\'(1minerStanley N. Gilreath Attorney. Agent, or Firn1Allan Ratner [57] ABSTRACT An improved method and device for readying of yarn ends, particularly in yarn-winding machines wherein, when a yarn piecing operation by a knotter is required after detecting a break of winding yarn, the retrieved yarns from a package and a supply cop are inspected to determine whether they involve doubled or tripled yarn by a slub catcher which is used for normal winding operation, and when the slub catcher detects the above-mentioned defect. the defect is cut off by a cutter of the slub catcher so that yarn piecing operation is not carried out therewith, and the yarn retrieving motion and the above-mentioned inspection is repeated.

6 Claims, 14 Drawing Figures US. Patent N0v.11,1975 Sheet10f9 3,918,651

US. Patent Nov. 11,1975 Sheet20f9 3,918,651

U S. Patent Nov.11, 1975 Sheet30f9 3,918,651

l I 1 SOLENOID kpk J 72 TIMER SWITCH US. Patent Nov. 11,1975 S heet4of9 3,918,651

IIIIILII till US. Patent N0v.11,1975 Sheet80f9 3,918,651

MOTOR CONTROL CLUCH CAIVI 5 8 SHAFT MEMBER 5 SHAFTS 6| 64 26,37,8l

ELECTRIC LIMIT SOURCE SWITCH SOLENO'D TIMER FEELER RELAY SWITCH I6 IO! 7 RE-SET LIMIT gigs; RE-SET SWITCH WHEEL SOLENOID US. Patent Nov.11, 1975 Sheet90f9 3,918,651

Fig. 9

I i I SUCTION I I f 1 I TUBE 5 I I (CAM 79) A I I O i I iO I SUCTION I I I i TUBE IO B l 1 I ICANI 80) I f 5 I I O I O 1 l SEPARATION I SC I I I I I GUIDE 47,48 I j I i l I (CAN 38) I {S 2 I 3 1 l I I O I D O; SEPARATION i g I R l CUIOE I8 I I' I ICAIvI 25) I I 3 l CONTROL SHAFT i ONE ROUND 5 f REVOLUTION I I I I METHOD AND DEVICE FOR READYING OF YARN ENDS, PARTICULARLY IN YARN-WINDING MACHINES SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to an improved method and device for readying of yarn ends at the time of piecing a yarn end from a package with a yarn end from a supply cop when the yarn piecing operation is carried out in a yarn winding machine.

In the yarn winding machine, when a yarn piecing operation is carried out, there is a certain possibility of pickin up a doubled yarn from a package or a supply bobbin, because of imperfect entraining and holding of the yarn ends of the package or the supply bobbin. When a doubled yarn is picked up from a yarn package and/or a supply bobbin, a double knot or a triple knot is created in the yarn piecing operation. The double k'not or triple knot has to be removed from the yarn package to prevent creation of defects in a final textile product.

It is well known that in the conventional yarn winding machine, an inspection device is disposed along a yarn passage after a yarn piecing device so as to detect and remove the double knot yarn or triple knot yarn. This yarn piecing device is hereinafter referred to as a knotter. However, in the case of a yarn winding machine provided with a plurality of stationary winding units, if the above-mentioned inspection system is applied to each winding unit, a pair of inspection devices are utilized for each winding unit, because it is necessary to use a slub catcher at a suitable position along a yarn passage between the supply cop and the yarn package formed ona tube. The slub catcher is normally disposed at a position upstream from the knotter. Consequently, the construction of the winding machine becomes complicated thereby reducing its operational and functional efficiency and, further, the installation cost of the machine is increased.

The principle object of the present invention is to eliminate the above-mentioned drawback of the conventional inspection system, in other words, to provide a unique inspection system wherein a single inspection device is capable of inspecting the above-mentioned double yarn before carrying out a yarn piecing operation and inspecting slubs included in the supply yarn during the normal winding operation.

According to the readying device of the present invention,, a yarn inspection device is disposed at a position along a yarn passage between a supply cop and a yarn package, and a knotter is disposed at a downstream position along the yarn passage between the yarn inspection device and the yarn package. During the normal winding operation, the inspection device works to detect slubs contained in the supply yarn, and if a slub is detected, the slub is removed by this device. When the yarn is broken, an entraining and holding device takes a free end of yarn from the yarn package, while another entraining and holding device takes a free end of yarn from the supply cop. According to the above-mentioned entraining and holding motions, free ends of yarns are carried to the inspection device so as to inspect whether each yarn end portion contains double or single yarn. And if a doubled yarn is detected, this defected portion of yarn is cut off, and the abovementioned entraining and holding operation is repeated. After confirmation that each yarn end portion does not involve doubled yarn, the yarn piecing operation is carried out by the knotter. Consequently, the mechanism of each winding unit according to the present invention is very simple in comparison with the above-mentioned conventional machine so that the purpose of the present invention can be satisfactorily attained.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a schematic side view of a winding unit of a conventional winder wherein the device for readying the end of yarn according to the present invention is applied;

FIG. 2 is a perspective side view of the device for readying the yarn shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a main electric circuit of the device shown in FIG. 2;

FIGS. 4A, 4B and 4C are a perspective view, a partly cross-sectional front view, a side view of a clutch mechanism applied to the readying device shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a front view of a gear train for driving cam shafts of the readying device shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 6A is an enlarged side view of the readying device shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 6B is a side view of a. gear train related to cam means for controlling the yarn retrieving motion according to the present invention;

FIGS. 7A and 7B are electric circuits utilized in the device shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 8A is a perspective view of a counting mechanism related the clutch mechanism shown in FIGS. 4A-4C;

FIG. 8B is a block diagram of the counting mechanism shown in FIG. 8A;

FIG. 9 is programming diagrams related to the suction tubes and separation guides applied for the device shown in FIGS. 1 and 2.

DETAILED ILLUSTRATION OF THE INVENTION In a conventional yarn winding machine as shown in FIG. 1, a plurality of winding units 4 are arranged along a hollow tube 3, which are secured to a pair of side frames 1 in lengthwisely parallel condition. The hollow tube 3 'is connected to a blower (not shown) by which suction is maintained inside of the hollow tube 3. A

suction tube 5 is turnably mounted on an intermediate hollow tube 6 which is connected to the hollow tube 3 by way of a connection tube 7 (FIG. 6A). The suction tube 5 is provided with a suction mouth 50 formed at a free end thereof so that a free end of yarn wound on a package 8 can be introduced into the suction tube 5 from the mouth 5a when a winding yarn is broken. The picked up yarn end is carried to a knotter 9 and a slub catcher 12 by turning the suction tube 5 about the intermediate hollow tube 6. Another suction tube It) is turnably mounted on another intermediate hollow tube 11 which is connected to the hollow tube 3 by way of the connection tube 7. The suction tube 10 is provided with a suction mouth 10a at a free end portion thereof. A free yarn end of the supply cop 13 is introduced into the suction tube 10 through the mouth 10a when the winding yarn is broken. In this embodiment, a conventional yarn piecing device, such as shown in the US. Pat. No. 3,059,867, is utilized as the above-mentioned knotter 9. The slub catcher 12 is disposed at an upstream position to the knotter 9 along a yarn passage between the yarn package 8 and a supply cop 13 held at a bottom portion of the winding unit 4. The yarn end picked up from the supply cop 13 is carried to the slub catcher 12 and then to the knotter 9 according to the turning motion of the suction tube 10 about the intermediate hollow tube 11. A yarn guide 14 is mounted on a bracket 15 secured to the winding unit 4 so as to fix the' yarn passage between the supply cop l3 and the yarn package 8. A feeler 16 is disposed at a position along the yarn passage between the yarn guide 14 and the slub catcher 12. The feeler 16 is turnably supported by a support pin (not shown) and is always urged against the yarn which passes along the yarn passage, by utilizing a spring force. A limit switch 17 is disposed to a supporting bracket (not shown) secured to the frame of the winding unit 4 at a position of proximity to the feeler 16 so as to be actuated by a turning motion of the feeler 16 about the support pin. When the feeler 16 turns because of a yarn break, the feeler 16 activates the limit switch 17 so as to actuate the readying device.

Referring to FIG. 2, a separation guide 18, which comprises a pair of horizontal plates 18a, 18b and a vertical connected portion 18c, is disposed in such a way that the horizontal plates 18a, 18b and the vertical connected portion 18c are positioned over the open end of the slub catcher 12. The separation guide 18 is supported by an actuation rod 19. The horizontal plates 18a, 18b of the separation guide 18 are provided with arched grooves 20a, 201; formed at corresponding positions facing each other. A vertical pin 21, secured to a bracket (not shown) mounted on the winding unit 4, passes through the arched grooves 20a, 20b of the separation guide 18. The actuation rod 19 is turnably mounted on an L shaped lever 22 which is turnably supported by a pin 23. The pin 23 is secured to a bracket 24 mounted on the winding unit 4. A cam plate 25 is secured to a cam shaft 26 which is driven by a control mechanism shown in FIGS. 4A-4C and 5. A pair of supporting brackets 27, 28 are mounted to the winding unit 4. A lever 29 is turnably supported by a pin 30 secured to the bracket 27. A free end of the lever 29 is connected to a spring rod 31 which is connected to thebracket 28. The lever 29 is provided with an offset projection 29a which supports a small roller 32 in turnable condition. Consequently, the roller 32 always contacts the cam surface of the plate cam 25 as shown in FIG. 2. A connecting rod 33 is connected to a free end of the L shaped lever 22. Therefore, the separation guide 18 is capable of moving reciprocally along an open end of the slub catcher 12 according to the turning motion of the plate cam 25. At a free end portion of the horizontal plate 18a of the separation guide 18, a projection 34 is formed so that a groove 35 and a recess 36 are formed. The groove 35 and the recess 36 work as yarn guide members. That is, when the cam plate 25 is actuated, the separation guide 18 is displaced toward right hand side in FIG. 2 so that a yarn passing through the groove 35 is introduced into a groove 12a of the slub catcher 12 wherein the yarn is subjected to the inspection of the slub catcher 12, while a yarn previously passing through the groove 12a is displaced outside the groove 12a by the above-mentioned lateral displacement of the projection 34 of the separation guide 18. Another control cam shaft 37 is driven by the control mechanism shown in FIGS. 4A-4C, 5. A second cam plate 38 is secured to the cam shaft 37. A pair of brackets 39, 40 are mounted to the winding unit 4. A lever 41 is turnably supported by a pin 42 secured to the bracket 39. A free end of the lever 41 is connected to a spring rod 43which is connected to the bracket 40. The lever 41 is provided with an offset projection 41a on which a small roller 45 is rotatably supported. According to a pulling force of the spring rod 43, the roller 45 is always urged against the cam surface of the cam plate 38. A pair of horizontal separation guides 46, 47 are secured to a vertical rod 48 which is turnably supported by a bracket (not shown) secured to the winding unit 4. A free end 46a of the horizontal separation guide 46 is connected to the lever 41 by way of a connecting rod 49 as shown in FIG. 2. Consequently, the separation guides 46, 47 are capable of turning about a vertical axis of the vertical rod 48 according to the turning motion of the cam plate 38. A hook 46b is formed at a free end portion of the horizon? tal separation guide 46, while a hook 47a is formed at a free end portion of the horizontal separation guide 47. During the normal winding operation, the cam plate 38 is positioned at its rest position which is shown in FIG. 2. In this condition, the connecting rod 49 is displaced to a right side terminal position thereof so that the horizontal separation guides 46, 47 are positioned their normal working positions represented by the respective lines X-X, XX' respectively, where the hook portion 46b, 47a lead the winding yarn into a yarn guidegroove 12a of the slub catcher 12 so that the slub catcher 12 works to detect and remove defects contained in the supply yarn. In this condition, the yarn passage is positioned apart from the knotter 9. The slub catcher 12 is set so as to actuate when a predetermined abnormal thickness of yarn such as slub is detected. The cam profile of the plate cam 38 is designed in such a way that, when the winding yarn is broken and a yarn piecing operation is required, a control mechanism, which is hereinafter described in detail, is actuated. According to the motion of this control mechanism, the suction tubes 5 and 10, cam shafts 26 and 37 are actuated simultaneously. Relative motions of these suction tubes 5, 10 with the cam shafts 26 and 37 are also hereinafter described in detail. In the abovementioned relative motions of the suction tubes 5, 10 with the cam shafts 26 and 37, the suction tubes 5 and 10 work to retrieve free ends of yarn 50a, 50b from the package 8 and the supply cop 13 respectively after they are turned from their waiting positions to their working positions adjacent to the yarn package 8 and the supply cop 13 respectively. Then these suction tubes 5, 10 carry the yarns 50a, 50b from the package 8 and the supply cop 13 to the respective positions adjacent to the slub catcher 12. As the cam 25 is turned simultaneously with the above-mentioned motion of the suction tubes 5 and 10, just after the retrieved yarns are carried to the respective positions adjacent to the slub catcher 12, the separation guide 18 works to introduce the retrieved yarns 50a, 50b into the yarn guide groove 12a of the slub catcher according to the turning motion of the cam 25 by way of lever 29 and the connecting rod 33, L shaped lever 22 and the actuation rod 19. The horizontal separation guides 46 and 47 are simultaneously turned with the motion of the separation guide 18 so as to introduce the retrieved yarns 50a, 50b to the working position of the knotter 9 according to the turning motion of the cam plate 38 by way of the lever 41, the connecting rod 49 and the vertical rod 48.

A conventional slub catcher, such as disclosed in the British Pat. No. 855,267, is utilized as the slub catcher 12 of the present invention. Referring to FIGS. 7A and 7B, in the slub catcher 12, a detector 51 of condenser type is applied. The output of the condenser 51 is amplified by an amplifier 52, and then the output signal of the amplifier 52 is applied to a discriminator 53 so as to classify an abnormal signal which represents slubs or other thicker yarn defects.

If the output of the amplifier 52 is discriminated as an abnormal signal, this signal is applied to an electric circuit 54 to actuate a magnet 55 which operates a cutter 56, so that the yarn portion corresponding the above-mentioned abnormal signal is cut'off. As the construction of the slub catcher 12 is almost same as that of the device shown in FIG. 11 of the British Pat.

No. 855,267, the detailed illustration thereof is omitted in this specification. However, for the sake of easy understanding, only the reference numerals shown in FIG. 7B are hereinafter illustrated as follows: that is, 130 represents a high frequency generator; 131, 132, 133, fixed condensers; 134, 135, rectifier arrangements; 136, earth potential; 137, 138, 140, resisters; 139, separating condenser; 141, voltage divider; 142, collector resister; 143 transistor; 144, feed back resister' respectively.

Referring to FIGS. 3, 4A, 4B, 4C, 5, 6A at 6B, a mechanism for driving the device of the present invention is hereinafter illustrated in detail. A common driving motor 58 is mounted on a gear end frame (not shown) of the winding machine. The input terminal of the motor 58 can be connected to an electric source 60 by pushing a push button switch 59. When the switch 59 is pushed, the input terminal of the motor 58 is connected to the electric source 60 so that the motor 58 is always driven. Each winding unit 4 is provided with a control shaft 61 which is driven by the common driving motor 58 by way ofa gear train including a sprocket wheel 62 secured to the control shaft 61. A gear 63 is turnably mounted on the control shaft 61. A clutch member 64 is formed at a side of the gear 63 and the clutch member 64 is provided with a notch 65 formed on a part of peripheral surface thereof. Another clutch member 66 is mounted on the shaft 61 in the condition of dovetail engagement so as to be able to slide along the axis of the shaft 61. The clutch member 66 is provided with a grooved surface 66a on the side facing the clutch member 64. At a free end portion of the shaft 61, a nut 67 is secured and a helical compression spring 68 is mounted on the shaft 61 at an intermediate portion between the clutch member 66 and the nut 67 so that the grooved surface 66a of the clutch member 66 is always urged against the clutch member 64. The shaft 61 is capable of turning evenif the turning of member 64 is positively prevented. However, the clutch member 64 is provided with the notch 65 and a so as to engage a free end portion 69a with the notch 65 of the clutch member 64. Consequently, the clutch member 64 cannot be turned with the clutch member 66 when the free tip portion 69a of the stop 69 is engaged with the notch 65 of the clutch member 64. A spring 71 is mounted on the pin 70 so as to turn the stopper 69 in the clockwise direction in FIG. 4C. A slot 691) is formed at a middle portion of the stopper 69. A solenoid 72 is mounted on the frame of the winding unit 4. The stopper 69 is connected to a solenoid lever 73 by a pin 74. When the solenoid 72 is energized, the lever 73 is pulled upward so that the engagement of the stopper 69 is turnably mounted on a supporting pin 70 tip 690 of the stopper 69 with the notch 65 of the clutch member 64 'is' released. According to the abovementioned disengagement, the'clutch member 64 commences to turn with the clutch member 66. After this motion, the solenoid 72 is deenergized, the stopper 69 turns clockwise about the pin because of the turning force created by the spring 71. Consequently, the free end portion 69a of the stopper 69 slides on the outer peripheral surface of the clutch member 64 during the turning motion of the clutch member 66. And when the clutch member 64 turns one round, the free end portion 69a of the stopper 69 engages with the notch 65 of the clutch member 64 so that the turning motion of the clutch member 64 is stopped. As it is clearly illustrated hereinbefore, the one round turning motion of the clutch member 64 can be precisely controlled by actuating the solenoid 72. The above-mentioned one round turning motion of the clutch member 64 is transmitted to the cam shafts 26 and 37 by way of the following gear trains, that is, a gear 76 having the same number of teeth as the gear63 is mounted on the cam shaft 37 and the gear 76 meshes with the gear 63, while a gear 77 having the same number of teeth as the gear 63 is mounted on the cam shaft 26 and is driven by the gear 63 through an intermediate gear 78. Consequently, the shafts 26 annd 37 are capable of turning one round by actuating the solenoid 72 and deenergizing the solenoid 72. Referring to FIG. 6A, a pair of cams 79, 80 are secured to the shaft 81. A pair of segment gears 82, 83 are turnably mounted on shafts 84, respectively. These shafts 84, 85 are mounted on the bracket (not shown) of each winding unit 4. The segment gear 82 is always urged against the cam 80 by way of a small roller 86, while the segment gear 83 is always urged against the cam 79 by way of a small roller 87. Consequently, these segment gears 82, 83 are turned about the shafts 84, 85 respectively according to the turning motion of the shaft 81. A gear 88 is turnably mounted on an end portion of the intermediate hollow tube 11 (FIG. 1) and is rigidly connected to the suction tube 10. A pin 90 is mounted on a connecting portion of the suction tube 10 with the gear 88 and a tension spring 91 is disposed in such a way that one end of the spring 91 is connected to the pin 90 while another end of the spring 91 is connected to a hook 92 formed inside the machine frame as shown in FIG. 6A. Consequently, the gear 88 always receives a turning force created by the spring 91 by which the gear 88 is turned clockwise in FIG. 6A. Another gear 93 is turnably mounted on an end portion of the intermediate hollow tube 6 and is rigidlyconnected to the suction tube 5. A pin 94 is mounted on a connecting portion of the suction tube 6 with the gear 93 and a tension spring 95 is disposed in such a way that one end of the spring 95 is connected to the pin 94 while another end of the spring 95 is connected to a hook 96 formed inside the machine frame as shown in FIG. 6A. Consequently, the gear 93 always receives a turning force created by the spring 95 by which the gear 93 is turned clockwise in FIG. 6A. According to the above-mentioned turning motion of the gears 93 and 88, the suction tubes 5 and 10 are capable of turning about the hollow tubes 6, 11

respectively. The gear 88 engages with the segment .gear 82, while the gear 93 engages with the segment gear 83. Consequently, the gears 88 and 93 are respectively turned in the clockwise direction according to one round turning motion of the control shaft 81, in

other words, one reciprocal turning motion of these suction tubes v and. between the waiting positions represented by dotted lines and terminal positions represented by solid lines respectively according to one round turning motion of the shaft 81. However, upon completion of the turning motion of the suction tubes 5 and 10 from their waiting positions represented by dotted lines to the positions represented by solid lines shown in FIG. 6A, the suction tubes 5 and 10 are returned to their respective waiting positions by the pulling force created by the springs 91 and 95.

The one round turning motion of the shaft 81 is carried out according to the one round turning motion of the control shaft 61 by way of the gear train comprising a gear 97 secured to the shaft 61 and a gear 98 secured to the shaft 81 as shown in FIG. 6B.

In the readying device accorrding to the present invention, the retrieved yarns taken from the yarn package 8 and the supply cop 13 by means of-the suction tubes 5 and 10 are inspected by the slub catcher 12, and if the doubled yarn or other yarn defects are detected by the slub catcher 12, these yarn portions are cut off by a cutter (not shown) of the slub catcher 12. Consequently, in spite of operation of the knotter 9, yarn piecing operation can not be carried out because of the absence of yarns which are to be knotted. Therefore, the feeler 16 activates the limit switch 17 so that the above-mentioned readying operation is repeated until the yarn piecing operation by the knotter 9 is completed. However, in practice, repeat of the yarn readying and piecing operation cannot be allowed to continue indefinitely, because such indefiniterepeating involves an expenditure of machine efficiency which is worth avoiding. To solve this problem, in the yarn readying and piecing device according to the present invention, a device for restricting the repeating operation is utilized. Referring to FIGS. 8A and 8B, the restriction device is applied to the clutch member 64 and the solenoid 72. That is, when the feeler 16 detects a yarn break, the feeler 16 actuates the limit switch 17 so that a conventional timer switch 101 is connected to the electric source 60. The timer switch 101 activates to connect the solenoid 72 with the electric source 60 for a predetermined time which is required for completion the readying and yarn piecing operation. When the solenoid 72 allows turning of the clutch member 64 with the clutch member 66 (FIG. 5), the yarn readying and piecing operation is carried out as hereinbefore illustrated, according to the turning motion of the cam shafts 26, 37 and 81. The gear 63 is provided with a laterally projected pin 63a as shown in FIGS. 48 and 5. The pin 63a actuates a limit switch (not shown) once each one round turning motion of the gear 63. The output signal of this limit switch is applied to a reset solenoid 102 which works to turn a reset ratchet wheel. 110 by one tooth when an output signal of the limit switch is applied. When the reset ratchet wheel 110 turns a predetermined angle about a ratchet shaft 111, a reset limit switch 115 is actuated to disconnect the connection between the limit switch 17 and the timer switch 101. Consequently, until the reset limit switch.1l5 is actuated, if the yarn piecing operation cannot be carried out by the knotter 9, because of absence of yarns 50a and 5011, the feeler 16 continues to actuate the limit switch 17 so that the above-mentioned yarn readying operation is repeated. However, if the yarn piecing operation by the knotter 9 is completed. the

feeler 16 does not actuate the limit switch 17 when the normal winding operation is commenced so that the cams 25, 38, 79 and 80 are positioned at their rest position, in other words, the suction tubes 5, 10, the horizontal separation guides 46, 47 and the separation guide 18 are, positioned at their waiting positions. The detailed mechanism of the restriction device is hereinafter illustrated as shown in FIG. 8A. The reset solenoid 102 is provided with a rod 103 which is partially retracted into the solenoid 102 when the solenoid 102 is energized. A lower end of the rod 103 is connected to a tension spring 105, and a lower end of the tension spring 105 is connected to a bracket 104 secured to the frame of the winding unit 4. An arm 106 is turnably mounted on a shaft 111 of the ratchet wheel and an end portion of the arm 106 is connected to the rod 103 by a pin 103a. A pin 107 is secured to the arm 106 and a pawl 108 is turnably mounted on the pin 107. A helical spring 109 is mounted on the pin 107 in such a way that an end of the spring 109 is secured to a top end of the pawl 108 while the other end of the spring 109 is secured to the arm 106 as shown in FIG. 8A so thatthe pawl 108 is urged to turn counterclockwise in FIG. 8A. A stopper 112 is secured to the machine frame of the winding unit 4 at a position where the clockwise turning motion of the arm 106 is restricted and the engagement of the pawls 108 with the ratchet wheel 110 is released. The pawl 108 works to engage a tooth of the ratchet wheel 110 so as to turn the ratchet wheel 110 at an angle corresponding to a tooth according to a reciprocal motion of the rod 103 when the solenoid 102 is actuated once. A helical spring 122 is mounted on the shaft 111 in such a way that an end of the spring 122 is secured to the shaft 111 while the other end of the spring 122 is secured to the ratchet wheel 110 so that the ratchet wheel 110 is apt to turn clockwise about the shaft 111. To prevent the free clockwise turning motion of the ratchet wheel about the shaft 111, a pawl 127 is turnably mounted on a horizontal shaft mounted to the winding unit 4. A helical spring 126 is mounted on the shaft 125 in such a .way that a free end of the spring 126 is secured to the shaft 125 while the other end of the spring 126 is secured to the pawl 127 so as to be apt to turn the pawl 127 counterclockwise about the shaft 125. The pawl 127 is positioned so as to engage a tooth of the ratchet wheel 110. A tail end of the pawl 127 is connected to a rod 124 of a solenoid 123 mounted to the winding unit 4. The solenoid 123 is actuated by the feeler 16 by way of the limit switch in such a condition that when the signal issued from the limit switch 17 is eliminated by the return motion of the feeler 16 to its normal working position, the rod 124 is displaced downward so that the pawl 127 is turned clockwise about the shaft 125 in FIG. 8A so that the pawl 127 is disengaged from a tooth of the ratchet wheel 110, while when the limit switch 17 issues a signal by the turning motion of feeler 16 which detects an absence of the yarn, the rod 124 is displaced upward to a position indicated by a solid line in FIG. 8A where the pawl 127 engages with a tooth of the ratchet wheel 110. According to the above-mentioned clockwise turning motion of the pawl 127, the ratchet wheel 1 10 turns clockwise in FIG. 8A. Tostop the above-mentioned clockwise turning motion of the ratchet wheel 110 at a predetermined position, a pin 128 is secured to the ratchet wheel 110 and a stopper 129 is mounted on the winding unit 4 in such a way that the pin 128 is capable of engaging with the stopper 129 when the ratchet wheel 110 turns clockwise. The position where the pin 128 engages with the stopper 129 is an original set position of the ratchet wheel 110. Another pin 113 is secured to the ratchet wheel 110 as shown in FIG. 8A. A stopper arm 114 is turnably mounted on the shaft 111. At a free end portion of the stopper arm 114, a horizontal rod 116 is secured. An arched arm 118 is turnably mounted on a pin 117 mounted on the winding unit 4. A bracket 120 is also secured to the winding unit 4. A tension spring 121 is disposed in such a way that an end thereof is connected to the bracket 120 while the other end of the spring 121 is secured to the arched arm 118 so that the arm 118 is urged to turn counterclockwise about the pin 117 in FIG. 8A. The arm 118 is provided with a plurality of notches 119 formed at the top side edge thereof. The distance of adjacent notches 119 corresponds to the distance between adjacent teeth of the ratchet wheel 110. A limit switch 115 is secured to the arm 114 at a position where the pin 113 is capable of pushing a working lever (not shown) of the limit switch 115. According to the above-mentioned mechanism, the set position of the arm 114 is temporarily fixed by engaging the pin 116 with a notch 119. This set position corresponds to the allowable limit of repeating of the yarn readying operation according to the present invention. When the pin 113 pushes the limit switch 115, the connection between the limit switch 17 and the pulse generator is opened so that the repeated yarn readying operation is stopped. For easy operation of the deivce according to the present invention, an alarm (not shown) such as a red lamp or a bell is mounted to the winding machinery so as to be actuated when the limit switch 115 is actuated. The yarn readying and piecing operation by utilizing the apparatus of the present invention is hereinafter illustrated in detail. Referring to the attached drawings, when the winding yarn is broken, the feeler 16 detects the breaking of the winding yarn and actuates the limit switch 17. The limit switch 17 closes the connection between the electric source 60 and the delay timer 101 so that the solenoid 72 is actuated for a predetermined time which is required for one round turning motion of the gear 63. One round turning motion of the gear 63 is transmitted to the control cam shafts 26, 37 and 81 respectively as hereinbefore illustrated. That is, the control shafts 26, 37 and 81 are simultaneously turned one round. According to the simultaneous one round turning motion of the control shafts 26, 37 and 81, the cams 25, 38, 79 and 80 are simultaneously turned one round. Referring to FIG. 9, represents a base cam profile corresponding to the waiting positions of the suction tubes and 10, separation guides 47, 48 and 18, l represents a working cam profile corresponding to working positions of the suction tubes 5 and 10, separation guides 47, 48 and 18. As it is clearly shown in FIG. 9, the cams 25, 38, 79 and 80 are arranged with angular phase differences. That is, when the gear 63 turns, the cam 79 firstly works to turn the suction tube 5 toward a position where the suction tube 5 retrieves a free end portion of the yarn of the yarn package 8. This motion is represented by a line 0 to 1 in the diagram A. When the suction mouth 50 arrives at the above-mentioned position which is in proximity to the yarn package 8, the suction tube 5 turns counterclockwise (in FIG. 1) after stopping at this working position for a predetermined time represented by 1-1 in the diagram A of FIG. 9, and the suction tube 5 returns to the waiting position thereof. According to the above-mentioned counterclockwise motion of the suction tube 5, the yarn end portion of the yarn package 8 is introduced to the proximity of the yarn passage before the knotter 9 and the slub catcher 12. This yarn portion is represented by the reference numeral 50a as already explained. Just after the suction tube 5 commences the motion thereof, the cam commences to turn the suction tube 10 toward a working position for retrieving in proximity to the supply cop 13 from the waiting position thereof so as to retrieve a free yarn end portion of the supply cop l3."The suction tube 19 is positioned for a predetermined time which is represented by a line -1 in the diagram B of FIG. 9 so as to retrieve the yarn end of the supply cop 13, and then turned clockwise (in FIG. 1) toward the waiting position so that the yarn end portion which is represented by 50b is introduced to a position before and in the proximity of the knotter 9 and the slub catcher 12. After the yarn end portion 50b is introduced to the above-mentioned position, the cam 38 begins to turn the horizontal separation guides 46, 47 so as to introduce the yarn 50a into a guide groove 9a of the knotter 9 and to introduce the yarn 50b into a guide groove 9b of the knotter 9, the yarn 50a into the guide groove 12a of the slub catcher 12 and the recess 36 of the separation guide 18, the yarn 50b into the guide groove 35 of the separation guide 18. When the yarn 50a is introduced into the guide groove 12a of the slub catcher 12, the slub catcher 12 works to inspect the yarn thickness so as to identify any yarn defect such as a doubled yarn or tripled yarn. If the slub catcher l2 detects the above-mentioned yarn defect in the yarn 50a, the cutter 56 (FIG. 7A) of the slub cutter 61 is actuated by energizing a magnet 5550 as to cut off the yarn defect. According'to the cutting motion of the cutter, the yarn 50a becomes free from the operation of the knotter 9. If the slub catcher 12 does not detect a yarn defect, the cutter does not work so that the yarn 50a is held at a working position of the knotter 9. After completion of the above-mentioned detection by the slub catcher with respect to the yarn 50a, the cam 25 moves the separation guide 18 in such a way that the guide 18 moves laterally by the guide movement of the vertical pin 21 in the slots 20a, 20b. According to the above-mentioned lateral movement of the separation guide 18, the yarn 50b is introduced into the guide groove 12a and the slub catcher 12 works in the same manner as for the yarn 50a. If the yarn 50b is cut off because of the detection of a yarn defect, the yarn from the supply cop 13 is eliminated from the working position of the knotter 9. On the other hand, if the slub catcher 12 does not detect the yarn defect in the yarn 50b, the yarn 50b is held at the working position of the knotter 9. Consequently, the yarn piecing operation can be carried out in the case where the yarns 50a and 50b are held stably in the working position of the knotter 9. In the diagrams C and D in FIG. 9, P represents the period of inspection by the slub catcher, P represents the period of working the cutter if necessary, and P represents the period of working the knotter 9.

And as already explained, if yarn defects are involved in the yarns 50a, 50b, the readying and piecing operation is repeated under the controlled condition by the restriction device hereinbefore illustrated.

A brief description of the operation of the device of the present invention particularly with respect to the function and operation of guide 18 and detector 12 will now be given.

1. Separation guides 46 and 47 are positioned at Y position during the normal winding operation. However, when yarn ends 50a, 50b are retrieved from package 8 and supply cop 13 is displaced to a position adja cent to the knotter 9, guides 46 and 47 are turned to the X position according to the motion of cam 38. Thus, yarn ends 50a, 50b are introduced into guide grooves 9a and 9b of the knotter, respectively, and yarn end 50a is also introduced into the guide groove 12a of slub catcher l2.

2. Next, cam 25 is turned so as to displace auxiliary separation guide 18 to the right (in FIG. 2). During this displacement, guide 18 moves along an arched passage because of engagement of pin 21 with grooves 20a and 2017. Consequently, yarn end 50a is displaced from guide groove 1211 by projection 34 of separation guide 18. On the other hand, yarn end 50b received in recess 35 is displaced into guide groove 12a. In accordance with this motion, the inspection of yarn ends 50a and 50b is carried out.

3. Next, the knotting operation by the knotter is carried out. Thereafter, guides 46 and 47 are returned to waiting position Y, so that knotted yarn is displaced from the knotter 9 and the normal winding operation is carried out. In this condition, guide 18 is kept at the above-mentioned rightwardly (FIG. 2) displaced position. Consequently, yarn supplied from supply cop 13 can be continuously inspected by slub catcher l2.

4. When it is required to carry out the knotting operation, guide 18 is displaced to the left (FIG. 2) and, thereafter, suction tubes and are actuated so as to retrieve yarn ends from package 8 and supply cop l3.

5. Solenoid 123 works at the time feeler 16 is actuated. That is, solenoid 123 is actuated only when the yarn knotting operation is completed, where pawl 127 is released from the wheel 110 so as to turn wheel 110 to its waiting position. Knotter 9 works once during one revolution of the control shaft 61 during the motion of the one-revolution-clutch. Therefore, the motion of knotter 9 has no relation with the inspection result of the slub catcher 12.

What is claimed is:

1. ln a method for readying yarn ends in a yarn winding machine when a piecing operation is required, wherein yarn ends are firstly retrieved from a yarn .package and from a supply cop, said retrieved yarn ends are secondly pieced together by a knotter mounted on each winding unit of said winding machine, an improvement comprising inspecting yarn defects such as a doubled or tripled yarn involved in said retrieved yarn ends taken from said package and supply cop respectively by means of a slub catcher utilized for inspecting yarn defects during normal winding operation, removing yarn portions involving a yarn defect from either of said retrieved yarn ends by said slub catcher when said slub catcher detects a yarn defect prior to said yarn piecing operation so that said yarn piecing operation by said knotter is made ineffective to piece together said yarn ends, and, piecing said retrieved yarn ends together by means of said knotter when said slub catcher does not detect a yarn defect in either of said yarn ends.

2. An improved readying method for piecing retrieved yarn portions from yarn package and supply cop according to claim 1, wherein a combination of said yarn retrieving operation, said inspecting operation by said slub catcher, and said yarn piecing operation by said knotter is repeated at predetermined number of times.

3. An improved readying method for piecing retrieved yarn portions from said yarn package and supply cop according to claim 1, wherein said yarn retrieving operation, said inspecting operation by said slub catcher, and said yarn piecing operation by said knotter are carried out according to a predetermined control program.

4. In an apparatus for readying yarn ends in a yarn winding machine when a piecing operation is required, wherein a pair of suction tubes are turnably mounted on corresponding hollow tubes connected to a suction source, said suction tubes are provided with suction mouths respectively so that free yarn ends of a package and a supply cop can be sucked into the respective suction mouths of said suction tubes when said suction mouths of said suction tubes are displaced to positions in proximity to said yarn package and supply cop respectively according to turning motions of said suction tubes, a knotter is mounted on each winding unit of said winding machine, a slub catcher is mounted on each winding unit at an upstream position from said knotter, said slub catcher is provided with a yarn guide groove, formed at a working position thereof, said suction tubes are provided with means for turning thereof from waiting positions to said positions in proximity to said package and supply cop respectively and for re turning to said waiting positions thereof so that each yarn portion retrieved from said package and said supply cop is introduced to yarn passages adjacent to a working position of said knotter and slub catcher, an improvement comprising separation guide means and an auxiliary separation guide displaceably mounted on each winding unit, means for controlling the sequence of operations by said suction tubes, separation guide means and auxiliary separation guide, slub catcher and knotter according to a predetermined program,

said separation guide means comprising an upper and a lower horizontal separation guide being capable of displacing together,

said upper separation guide disposed at a position adjacent to said knotter while said lower separation guide disposed at a position adjacent to said slub catcher, said upper and lower separation guides provided with a hook portion respectively which maintains a position away from a yarn passage during normal winding operation in such a condition that the yarn does not pass through said working position of said knotter and which displaces yarn portions retrieved from said package and said supply cop into said working position of said knotter, said auxiliary separation guide disposed at a position between said slub catcher and said lower horizontal separation guide and provided with a first and a second recess formed at a horizontal side edge thereof, said first recess being capable of receiving said retrieved yarn from said package into said guide groove of said slub catcher according to displacement of said hooks of said upper and lower separation guides and being capable of displacing her of repeated operations of a combined motion by said suction tubes, separation guides, slub catcher and knotter when said slub catcher does not find yarn de fects.

6. An improved retrieving apparatus in a winding machine according to claim 4, wherein said controlling means is provided with cam mechanisms which define said predetermined program. 

1. In a method for readying yarn ends in a yarn winding machine when a piecing operation is required, wherein yarn ends are firstly retrieved from a yarn package and from a supply cop, said retrieved yarn ends are secondly pieced together by a knotter mounted on each winding unit of said winding machine, an improvement comprising inspecting yarn defects such as a doubled or tripled Yarn involved in said retrieved yarn ends taken from said package and supply cop respectively by means of a slub catcher utilized for inspecting yarn defects during normal winding operation, removing yarn portions involving a yarn defect from either of said retrieved yarn ends by said slub catcher when said slub catcher detects a yarn defect prior to said yarn piecing operation so that said yarn piecing operation by said knotter is made ineffective to piece together said yarn ends, and, piecing said retrieved yarn ends together by means of said knotter when said slub catcher does not detect a yarn defect in either of said yarn ends.
 2. An improved readying method for piecing retrieved yarn portions from yarn package and supply cop according to claim 1, wherein a combination of said yarn retrieving operation, said inspecting operation by said slub catcher, and said yarn piecing operation by said knotter is repeated a predetermined number of times.
 3. An improved readying method for piecing retrieved yarn portions from said yarn package and supply cop according to claim 1, wherein said yarn retrieving operation, said inspecting operation by said slub catcher, and said yarn piecing operation by said knotter are carried out according to a predetermined control program.
 4. In an apparatus for readying yarn ends in a yarn winding machine when a piecing operation is required, wherein a pair of suction tubes are turnably mounted on corresponding hollow tubes connected to a suction source, said suction tubes are provided with suction mouths respectively so that free yarn ends of a package and a supply cop can be sucked into the respective suction mouths of said suction tubes when said suction mouths of said suction tubes are displaced to positions in proximity to said yarn package and supply cop respectively according to turning motions of said suction tubes, a knotter is mounted on each winding unit of said winding machine, a slub catcher is mounted on each winding unit at an upstream position from said knotter, said slub catcher is provided with a yarn guide groove, formed at a working position thereof, said suction tubes are provided with means for turning thereof from waiting positions to said positions in proximity to said package and supply cop respectively and for returning to said waiting positions thereof so that each yarn portion retrieved from said package and said supply cop is introduced to yarn passages adjacent to a working position of said knotter and slub catcher, an improvement comprising separation guide means and an auxiliary separation guide displaceably mounted on each winding unit, means for controlling the sequence of operations by said suction tubes, separation guide means and auxiliary separation guide, slub catcher and knotter according to a predetermined program, said separation guide means comprising an upper and a lower horizontal separation guide being capable of displacing together, said upper separation guide disposed at a position adjacent to said knotter while said lower separation guide disposed at a position adjacent to said slub catcher, said upper and lower separation guides provided with a hook portion respectively which maintains a position away from a yarn passage during normal winding operation in such a condition that the yarn does not pass through said working position of said knotter and which displaces yarn portions retrieved from said package and said supply cop into said working position of said knotter, said auxiliary separation guide disposed at a position between said slub catcher and said lower horizontal separation guide and provided with a first and a second recess formed at a horizontal side edge thereof, said first recess being capable of receiving said retrieved yarn from said package into said guide groove of said slub catcher according to displacement of said hooks of said upper and lower separation guides and being capable of displacing said retrieved yarn from said guide groove of said sLub catcher according to displacement of said auxiliary separation guide, said second recess of said auxiliary separation guide being capable of introducing said retrieved yarn from said supply cop into said slub catcher according to the displacement thereof.
 5. An improved retrievinng apparatus in a windng machine according to claim 4, wherein said controlling means is provided with means for restricting the number of repeated operations of a combined motion by said suction tubes, separation guides, slub catcher and knotter when said slub catcher does not find yarn defects.
 6. An improved retrieving apparatus in a winding machine according to claim 4, wherein said controlling means is provided with cam mechanisms which define said predetermined program. 